Cover image via cnnphilippines.com
Ms. Geraldine Roman, our very first transgender Filipina congresswoman was featured in the list "These 13 Women Inspired Us In 2016" by US website Motto
Motto has the same editors as TIME magazine.
The roster is very impressive. From musicians, artists, athletes and even the candidate who could very well be the first woman president of U.S.A.
They all have 1 thing in common: They have excelled in their given fields and inspired women around the world to be strong.
Geraldine's successful seat in congress in which she won 62% of the votes in May 2016 and her persistent lobbying for anti-discrimination bill is truly inspiring
She represents the 1st District of Bataan.
"Geraldine Roman's success as the first transgender congresswoman to be elected in the Philippines is truly inspiring. Roman ran for the House seat that was previously occupied by her mother and won with 62% of the vote in May this year.
Since being elected, she has lobbied persistently for an anti-discrimination bill and campaigned for greater LGBT rights, saying "Recognizing our rights and dignity will in no way diminish yours. We are not asking for special privileges or extra rights. We simply ask for equality. With inclusiveness and diversity, our nation has so much to gain."
Image via CNN PH
Motto described the Philippines as "a nation with history of hostility to the LGBT community," remembering the violent death of transgender Jennifer Laude
Jennifer Laude was a transgender woman who was killed by a U.S. Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton back in October 2014 in Olongapo City.
His excuse was that he "acted in self-defense after he discovered that a man, not a woman, was performing a sexual act on him".
He was found guilty of homicide and not of murder and will face imprisonment from 6 to 12 years.
Image via Phil Star
Among the other inspiring women on the list was a plus size Olympic gold medalist and a 23-year old ISIS captive survivor
Michelle Carter a make-up artist who won gold in the shot put, has often spoken out against body shaming and called for larger women to embrace their appearance.
Nadia Murad survived captivity by ISIS in Iraq and was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the U.N. and held the first session on human trafficking as she was subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of ISIS fighters
Image via The Independent
Such an inspiring list. We are very proud of you, Geraldine! May you continue your good work in making a change not just in the Philippines but throughout the world!
Image via ABC AU
